Introduction

David Mamet (born 1947) is a unique figure in American culture. Arguably the finest living American playwright, whose distinctively profane dialogue is so widely recognised that the term‘Mametspeak’ has entered common usage, he is also by general consent the only major American dramatist to have achieved significant success as a Hollywood screenwriter. In addition, he has directed, to date, nine feature films, and in so doing has developed an equally unmistakable cinematic style.